A rabbi ought to elevate thinking, provide nuance to the overly simple, and widen people’s moral imagination. Politics is the opposite: It rewards conviction over curiosity and dogma over truth.
We're members of a Conservative synagogue who hired a new rabbi last year. She is a young graduate from the Reconstructionist synagogue not far from where we lived in Pennsylvania. When we saw "Reconstructionist" the bell went off, but decided not to pre-judge and give her a chance during the weekly shabbat. For a year there was never a mention of anything political. I thought it was probably because she was testing the water. Her one year anniversary passed, and we noticed that now and then she will slip in her political take on the current climate of various "hot" issues. We roll our eyes when we hear the comments because we knew this would eventually happen. She's a lovely young woman, pleasant and not in your face about any of it, but we believe the comments will become greater and more often, and the programs will be part of it. We also go Chabad events and on some holidays, and we notice that Chabad doesn't get involved at all in politics. We have attended programs with freed hostages to hear their stories, but never a mention by the Rabbi about the politics of it. Any other guest speakers, the same, no politics. Joshua's mention of Mamdani reminded me of the Progressive rabbis in New York that are anti-Zionists, supporters of Palestine, etc. and are very vocal about it. I just don't understand any of it, and it pains me that there are rabbis like this. These rabbis are a danger to the Jewish community as Joshua explained in his essay. Rabbi Yisroel Weiss from NYC denounced Zionism during a barrage of rocket attacks in Israel. He speaks for the group, Neturei Karta, an anti-Zionist organization. He and other Progressive rabbis keep the door wide open to anti-semitism and anti-Zionism and koshering it for those who hate Jews. They seemed to have missed the point that they have chosen their Progressive ideas over Judaism. What they have forgotten is that they are not the voice of the Jewish people because we have our own.
I am in total agreement with you! These “progressive” Rabbis may be the demise of NYC Jews who listen without critically thinking. This terrifies and concerns me deeply! I was not raised religiously, however my maternal grandparents and paternal great grandparents were. I’m in love with Israel and my Jewishness and raised my children in chabad, and conservative synagogues. I am so proud of Israel and the IDF. 🇮🇱💙🤍
I feel the same as you do. I am so proud of my Jewishness and proud of the State of Israel. My children were raised in a Reform starting in their Jewish pre-school until their Confirmation. That synagogue has become unrecognizable today. We stopped our membership after they completed their education and did the same as you, Chabad and Conservative.
It’s so sad 😞. Parents of these lost Jews became too comfortable and complacent and sadly their children and possibly grandchildren are missing out on so much Jewish love.. 💕💙🤍✡️🇮🇱
"Rabbi Yisroel Weiss from NYC denounced Zionism during a barrage of rocket attacks in Israel. He speaks for the group, Neturei Karta, an anti-Zionist organization. He and other Progressive rabbis keep the door wide open to anti-semitism and anti-Zionism and koshering it for those who hate Jews. They seemed to have missed the point that they have chosen their Progressive ideas over Judaism. What they have forgotten is that they are not the voice of the Jewish people because we have our own."
Mamdani's Muslim goons won't care about Rabbi Weiss' Leftist views.
I am a rabbi who readily acknowledges the dangers of religious nationalism that has certainly invaded both the Us and our beloved Israel. The Islamic form of this, Islamism or jihadism is particularly dangerous because it has been a dominate force in the Arab world. The christian’s version in the US is quickly becoming a dominate force. And the Jewish version, once fringe, has be growing in Israel since the last election to alarming levels.
I agree with the underlying gist of this article that cautions against the dangers co-mingling of partisan power politics and religion spiritual principles and practice.
We rabbis should reach the latter and trust one another to apply those principles to the political realities of our time - while focusing our attention on creating and maintaining safe spaces for dialogue, healthy debate, and loving rebuke for the Jewish community as a whole.
When rabbis veer into politicized arenas from the bimah - those who spree with their presumed political views declare them prophetic, and those who don’t decry them as political.
We were members of an "all inclusive" mega-synagogue.... Then 2019/2020, Rabbi started getting rabid on Trump and mandatory vaccination. I talked with him about how he was alienating 1/3 of the congregation. He didn't care.
We left in 2020 and now we are "a la carte Jews": we are members of an independent Saturday- morning- only synagogue (no official dues), drop in on another synagogue on Friday night, and go to Chabad and other places for special events. Donations as we go...
Old synagogue merged with another one who had the same political policies.. both collapsed. Hhmm.
Sad but true. My first encounter with my now ex-Temple was in February of 2023 when I first moved to town. The service opened with a 15-minute harangue by the Rabbi about how the “right” in Israel was going to take everyone’s rights away and make women stand in the backs of busses. I joined anyway. Fast forward to earlier this year. All of the rabbis and cantors of the wealthy congregation signed a joint letter sent to all congregants with a “call to action” to protest the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz”. I resigned from the temple after that one. The head Rabbi did email me to ask to talk about why I resigned. I didn’t bother answering.
I've enjoyed and benefitted very much from your insights. I request you report on Mamdani's claim that a NYC synagogue hosting Nefesh b'Nefesh was both violating sacred space and was in violation of international law. It appears Mamdani thinks that Jews emigrating to Israel is illegal and irreligious. How can he claim to have the authority to make these statements? I have yet to see a comprehensive rebuttal to this latest anti-semitic outrage by Mamdani.
As others have noted there is taking a stand on moral issues and there is left wing partisan politics. Today those who identity as Democrats have a tendency to believe that their ideas of social justice are simply being on the side of morality while those who feel differently are on the side of evil. The entire Reform movement has descended into this and Conservative isnt much far behind. Most Reform Congregations EXPECT the Rabbi to sermonize in favor of Democratic politics. The idea that there are multiple paths to moral goals is foreign and alien to them. We see this in secular life so religious life isnt any different. I myself will never join any Synagogue where the Rabbi is expected to espouse partisan issues from the pulpit.
I’m a follower of Dennis Prager, which means living in the diaspora, one supports Israel irrespective of which government is in power in Jerusalem. A fellow Brit told me that he has to lean ‘so far right’ when he enters his shul, the New North London, because the community is ‘so far left’.
I am appalled at rabbinical leaders who fail to comprehend the islamic jihad ideology that undermines Israel, which is also leading most western politicians blindly to be overrun by Islam.
Perhaps we are talking semantics but moral clarity is essential in those who lead congregations. There is a difference between politics and ethics; talking of one can preclude the other. Should Rabbis not have marched with MLK as mine did?
Silence is the death of virtue and morality. The world’s silence lifted up the Nazis to almost end us all. Not countering antisemitic rhetoric today is the first ring of a death knell. Not countering rampant racism is the death of all people of color.
The perception of "rampant racism" can sometimes seem to justify elements of extreme ideologies that are not in accordance with Jewish teachings and values, which also consider how proposals affect the larger community
Apropos your essay, read the cover story of Mishpacha Jewish Family Weekly, Issue 1088, 6 Kislev 5786, November 26, 2025: “How Could You Endorse Mamdani?Tough questions for Samar Askan Rabbi Moshe Indig.”
The one tough question they didn’t ask Rabbi Indig was: What makes you believe Mamdani is the world’s first politician NOT TO LIE and promise everything you want to hear!?!
Aron Titelbaum grand rabbi of the Satmar court was believed to be tzadick being one who can comune with hashem and change your destiny...when he passed Moses Teitelbaum took over a smart man a wise man a learned man but not a tzadick....when he passed A. Took over both Brooklyn and Kiryas Joel. Again a wise man a learned man but not a tzadick....politics started ...multiple schools yeshivas started and then S. Came into power in Brooklyn...wise men? Learned men? Smart men But no Tzadick....just a cain and able fight...as a lawyer who was involved in forming the village of KJ and 30 years lawyering...politics cannot survive with learned men or wise men ...but only one who can comune with hashem. And change your destiny.....they exist..but...really rare
"congregants who disagree with that side begin to feel as though their presence in the community is lesser, suspect, or tolerated rather than welcomed"
This is actually what some want. A Rabbi at a shul I used to belong to wrote in the newsletter how he would not be making statements on Israel because he did not want to alienate those who disagreed. He continued that he would continue to talk about progressive issues, x, y and z, because those, he said, are Jewish values.
I sadly must conclude he is consciously making a decision to alienate congregants with different views on those issues.
Only the self erasing Jews stay silent and or worse empower the Antisemites. Their yearning to live as Dhimmi is absolutely abhorrent, they are ignoring all the evidence from history.
Reading your posts and comments. Rabbis aren't priests. They have knowledge of Jewish thought and tradition. Supposedly. The ones who endorsed the racist in chief will say that they are acting in precisely the courageous ways rabbis did in the fifties and sixties during the Black civil rights campaign They'll say the are acting the path forged by the anti Zionists pre state. I read an entire book heaping praise of the figures of this buried, forgotten history. The genocide of Oct, 7th gave new impetus to their struggle not against hamas but 1)Netanyahu 2)a Jewish state in the Historic Land of Israel. And beinart, not a rabbi, is a prime figure in the new call for a post Israel of Palestine "secular binational state' which is 1)REJECTED by ARABS 2)rejected by Israelis outside of B'tselem and Ha Artetz. Mamdani suckled Jew Hate from his mother's breast to borrow from Begin....he's a true believer that Anti Zionism is intersectionality is central to everything he is planning to do to destroy NYC. So I'm doublally surrounded like Lichtenstein.....I'm in the district of the racist DSA Ocasio Cortez and the city that voted in the DSA racist in chief.
We're members of a Conservative synagogue who hired a new rabbi last year. She is a young graduate from the Reconstructionist synagogue not far from where we lived in Pennsylvania. When we saw "Reconstructionist" the bell went off, but decided not to pre-judge and give her a chance during the weekly shabbat. For a year there was never a mention of anything political. I thought it was probably because she was testing the water. Her one year anniversary passed, and we noticed that now and then she will slip in her political take on the current climate of various "hot" issues. We roll our eyes when we hear the comments because we knew this would eventually happen. She's a lovely young woman, pleasant and not in your face about any of it, but we believe the comments will become greater and more often, and the programs will be part of it. We also go Chabad events and on some holidays, and we notice that Chabad doesn't get involved at all in politics. We have attended programs with freed hostages to hear their stories, but never a mention by the Rabbi about the politics of it. Any other guest speakers, the same, no politics. Joshua's mention of Mamdani reminded me of the Progressive rabbis in New York that are anti-Zionists, supporters of Palestine, etc. and are very vocal about it. I just don't understand any of it, and it pains me that there are rabbis like this. These rabbis are a danger to the Jewish community as Joshua explained in his essay. Rabbi Yisroel Weiss from NYC denounced Zionism during a barrage of rocket attacks in Israel. He speaks for the group, Neturei Karta, an anti-Zionist organization. He and other Progressive rabbis keep the door wide open to anti-semitism and anti-Zionism and koshering it for those who hate Jews. They seemed to have missed the point that they have chosen their Progressive ideas over Judaism. What they have forgotten is that they are not the voice of the Jewish people because we have our own.
I am in total agreement with you! These “progressive” Rabbis may be the demise of NYC Jews who listen without critically thinking. This terrifies and concerns me deeply! I was not raised religiously, however my maternal grandparents and paternal great grandparents were. I’m in love with Israel and my Jewishness and raised my children in chabad, and conservative synagogues. I am so proud of Israel and the IDF. 🇮🇱💙🤍
I feel the same as you do. I am so proud of my Jewishness and proud of the State of Israel. My children were raised in a Reform starting in their Jewish pre-school until their Confirmation. That synagogue has become unrecognizable today. We stopped our membership after they completed their education and did the same as you, Chabad and Conservative.
It’s so sad 😞. Parents of these lost Jews became too comfortable and complacent and sadly their children and possibly grandchildren are missing out on so much Jewish love.. 💕💙🤍✡️🇮🇱
I couldn't have said it better.
"Rabbi Yisroel Weiss from NYC denounced Zionism during a barrage of rocket attacks in Israel. He speaks for the group, Neturei Karta, an anti-Zionist organization. He and other Progressive rabbis keep the door wide open to anti-semitism and anti-Zionism and koshering it for those who hate Jews. They seemed to have missed the point that they have chosen their Progressive ideas over Judaism. What they have forgotten is that they are not the voice of the Jewish people because we have our own."
Mamdani's Muslim goons won't care about Rabbi Weiss' Leftist views.
They will just beat him up last.
Maybe so, but Mamdani appointed several Progressive Rabbis to his team. This should be good.
How many rabbis will admit there is a world wide Muslim religious war and America has been invaded by Muslims?
I am a rabbi who readily acknowledges the dangers of religious nationalism that has certainly invaded both the Us and our beloved Israel. The Islamic form of this, Islamism or jihadism is particularly dangerous because it has been a dominate force in the Arab world. The christian’s version in the US is quickly becoming a dominate force. And the Jewish version, once fringe, has be growing in Israel since the last election to alarming levels.
I agree with the underlying gist of this article that cautions against the dangers co-mingling of partisan power politics and religion spiritual principles and practice.
We rabbis should reach the latter and trust one another to apply those principles to the political realities of our time - while focusing our attention on creating and maintaining safe spaces for dialogue, healthy debate, and loving rebuke for the Jewish community as a whole.
When rabbis veer into politicized arenas from the bimah - those who spree with their presumed political views declare them prophetic, and those who don’t decry them as political.
It’s a no win venture.
We were members of an "all inclusive" mega-synagogue.... Then 2019/2020, Rabbi started getting rabid on Trump and mandatory vaccination. I talked with him about how he was alienating 1/3 of the congregation. He didn't care.
We left in 2020 and now we are "a la carte Jews": we are members of an independent Saturday- morning- only synagogue (no official dues), drop in on another synagogue on Friday night, and go to Chabad and other places for special events. Donations as we go...
Old synagogue merged with another one who had the same political policies.. both collapsed. Hhmm.
Sad but true. My first encounter with my now ex-Temple was in February of 2023 when I first moved to town. The service opened with a 15-minute harangue by the Rabbi about how the “right” in Israel was going to take everyone’s rights away and make women stand in the backs of busses. I joined anyway. Fast forward to earlier this year. All of the rabbis and cantors of the wealthy congregation signed a joint letter sent to all congregants with a “call to action” to protest the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz”. I resigned from the temple after that one. The head Rabbi did email me to ask to talk about why I resigned. I didn’t bother answering.
I've enjoyed and benefitted very much from your insights. I request you report on Mamdani's claim that a NYC synagogue hosting Nefesh b'Nefesh was both violating sacred space and was in violation of international law. It appears Mamdani thinks that Jews emigrating to Israel is illegal and irreligious. How can he claim to have the authority to make these statements? I have yet to see a comprehensive rebuttal to this latest anti-semitic outrage by Mamdani.
Hi Shaia, we did cover that 😀
https://www.futureofjewish.com/p/israel-is-now-a-crime-in-new-york
Todah Rabah Joshua. I don't know how I missed this one. It is an excellent
response to Mamdani's ultra left-Islamist agenda.
As others have noted there is taking a stand on moral issues and there is left wing partisan politics. Today those who identity as Democrats have a tendency to believe that their ideas of social justice are simply being on the side of morality while those who feel differently are on the side of evil. The entire Reform movement has descended into this and Conservative isnt much far behind. Most Reform Congregations EXPECT the Rabbi to sermonize in favor of Democratic politics. The idea that there are multiple paths to moral goals is foreign and alien to them. We see this in secular life so religious life isnt any different. I myself will never join any Synagogue where the Rabbi is expected to espouse partisan issues from the pulpit.
I’m a follower of Dennis Prager, which means living in the diaspora, one supports Israel irrespective of which government is in power in Jerusalem. A fellow Brit told me that he has to lean ‘so far right’ when he enters his shul, the New North London, because the community is ‘so far left’.
I am appalled at rabbinical leaders who fail to comprehend the islamic jihad ideology that undermines Israel, which is also leading most western politicians blindly to be overrun by Islam.
🎯💯
This is a very wise essay Joshua. Thank you
Perhaps we are talking semantics but moral clarity is essential in those who lead congregations. There is a difference between politics and ethics; talking of one can preclude the other. Should Rabbis not have marched with MLK as mine did?
Silence is the death of virtue and morality. The world’s silence lifted up the Nazis to almost end us all. Not countering antisemitic rhetoric today is the first ring of a death knell. Not countering rampant racism is the death of all people of color.
Completely agree, ethics is distinguished from politics in my book.
Eli Weisel: “Silence is not an option” in any signs of evil. Support of Israel is also not an option.
🇮🇱🎯💙🤍🔊💯‼️
The perception of "rampant racism" can sometimes seem to justify elements of extreme ideologies that are not in accordance with Jewish teachings and values, which also consider how proposals affect the larger community
Apropos your essay, read the cover story of Mishpacha Jewish Family Weekly, Issue 1088, 6 Kislev 5786, November 26, 2025: “How Could You Endorse Mamdani?Tough questions for Samar Askan Rabbi Moshe Indig.”
https://share.google/VWCkJIvvK24dKHe3i
The one tough question they didn’t ask Rabbi Indig was: What makes you believe Mamdani is the world’s first politician NOT TO LIE and promise everything you want to hear!?!
Please Josh, ask the putz for the rest of us.
Aron Titelbaum grand rabbi of the Satmar court was believed to be tzadick being one who can comune with hashem and change your destiny...when he passed Moses Teitelbaum took over a smart man a wise man a learned man but not a tzadick....when he passed A. Took over both Brooklyn and Kiryas Joel. Again a wise man a learned man but not a tzadick....politics started ...multiple schools yeshivas started and then S. Came into power in Brooklyn...wise men? Learned men? Smart men But no Tzadick....just a cain and able fight...as a lawyer who was involved in forming the village of KJ and 30 years lawyering...politics cannot survive with learned men or wise men ...but only one who can comune with hashem. And change your destiny.....they exist..but...really rare
So true and so important!
Even as a rabbi who recently enlisted in the IDF, I try very hard to avoid directly political opinions, instead focusing on principles and values.
I even published a series about the importance of separating Torah from politics:
https://thehealthyjew.substack.com/p/healthy-jew-politics-part-1
"congregants who disagree with that side begin to feel as though their presence in the community is lesser, suspect, or tolerated rather than welcomed"
This is actually what some want. A Rabbi at a shul I used to belong to wrote in the newsletter how he would not be making statements on Israel because he did not want to alienate those who disagreed. He continued that he would continue to talk about progressive issues, x, y and z, because those, he said, are Jewish values.
I sadly must conclude he is consciously making a decision to alienate congregants with different views on those issues.
Only the self erasing Jews stay silent and or worse empower the Antisemites. Their yearning to live as Dhimmi is absolutely abhorrent, they are ignoring all the evidence from history.
So rabbis should stay out of most politics, but there's an exception when you think it's really important, e.g. against Mamdani. Got it.
Reading your posts and comments. Rabbis aren't priests. They have knowledge of Jewish thought and tradition. Supposedly. The ones who endorsed the racist in chief will say that they are acting in precisely the courageous ways rabbis did in the fifties and sixties during the Black civil rights campaign They'll say the are acting the path forged by the anti Zionists pre state. I read an entire book heaping praise of the figures of this buried, forgotten history. The genocide of Oct, 7th gave new impetus to their struggle not against hamas but 1)Netanyahu 2)a Jewish state in the Historic Land of Israel. And beinart, not a rabbi, is a prime figure in the new call for a post Israel of Palestine "secular binational state' which is 1)REJECTED by ARABS 2)rejected by Israelis outside of B'tselem and Ha Artetz. Mamdani suckled Jew Hate from his mother's breast to borrow from Begin....he's a true believer that Anti Zionism is intersectionality is central to everything he is planning to do to destroy NYC. So I'm doublally surrounded like Lichtenstein.....I'm in the district of the racist DSA Ocasio Cortez and the city that voted in the DSA racist in chief.